Moshiach ben Binyomin?

On the Shabbos before Purim, my rav shared a very interesting thought, which started me thinking.

When Mordechai refused to bow down to Haman, the sages of his time challenged him. They asked why he was putting himself and the Jewish people in danger, and said that we have a precedent from Yakov Avinu - he and all of his family bowed down in front of Esav. Certainly one can bow down in front of Esav's progeny, Haman!

To this Mordechai responded and said that while it was true that all of their ancestors bowed down, his own ancestor, Binyomin, was not yet born and was the only tribe that did not prostrate in front of Esav. Mordechai therefore explained that he had his own precedent to follow.

Another interesting thought that I have seen is that it was Shaul, who was a descendant of Binyomin, who was sent on the mission to destroy Amalek, the grandson of Esav who represents all of the evil in the world. Mordechai, a descendant of Binyomin would be the vehicle for the downfall of Amalek's descendant Haman.

It is also worthy of noting that our sages tell us that Yosef was originally supposed to have twelve tribes, similar to Yakov. However, due to a sin, ten of the twelve were given to Binyomin. Each of Binyomin's ten sons were named after Yosef in some way (as Rashi notes).

Also interesting to note is that just as we find the concept of the connection between Moshiach ben Yosef and Moshiach ben Dovid, there is also a clear connection between Yehuda (מב"ד) and Binyomin (perhaps מב"י?) that is worthy of explanation. In fact, Shaul was supposed to have been the Moshiach ben Yosef for Dovid as Moshiach ben Dovid, if not for the fact that he ended up being unworthy.

I was told that while we do indeed find that Moshiach ben Dovid must be from the physical lineage of Dovid Hamelech, there does not seem to be a source stating that Moshiach ben Yosef must actually be from Yosef. This is actually quite an important point, because there are opinions that the tribes of Ephraim and Menashe were both lost to Klal Yisrael, so if it was necessary for MBY to be from either of those two tribes, we might find ourselves in a quandary. In any event, the tribe of Binyomin still exists as a significant part of Klal Yisrael, as the Jewish people today are composed of what was the kingdom of Judah, which consisted of the tribes of Yehuda, Binyomin and some Leviim and Kohanim.

It is also significant to note that the Beis Hamikdash was located on the border between Yehuda and Binyomin's portions in Eretz Yisroel, indicating a spiritual partnership between the two in being the vehicle for bringing Hashem's Divine Presence into the world.

Something else that comes to mind is that Binyomin was blessed by Yosef with the bracha of חן - grace, which Rebbe Nachman explains is the power of Torah and Tefillah (prayer) that bring about Hashem's response. These are the very tools that Moshiach will use to bring the world to its ultimate rectification.

Idols of the Land of Wealth

Something I mentioned in the post Moshiach ben Yosef II was:

I think that the most potent message of the story is that Rebbe Nachman teaches that the most desperate place a person can be is in the Land of Wealth. This place is a land that worships wealth and literally calls the wealthiest people there gods.

Interestingly, Paul Krugman writes the following in his op-ed article in the NY Times:

Think of the way almost everyone important missed the warning signs of an impending crisis. How was that possible? How, for example, could Alan Greenspan have declared, just a few years ago, that “the financial system as a whole has become more resilient” — thanks to derivatives, no less? The answer, I believe, is that there’s an innate tendency on the part of even the elite to idolize men who are making a lot of money, and assume that they know what they’re doing. (Italics mine - ag)

Striking.

Moshiach ben Yosef II

I think this is the year of Moshiach ben Yosef.

In Rebbe Nachman's story "The Master of Prayer," there are two main characters. The first is the Master of Prayer (בעל תפילה), who represents מלכות - that is Moshiach ben Dovid. The second is the Mighty Warrior, who corresponds to יסוד - which is Moshiach ben Yosef.

I just thought of a clear parallel between the story of Yosef and the Master of Prayer story. In the story, the Master of Prayer is in the land of wealth and hears about a mighty warrior, and wonders if it is the Mighty Warrior that he knew from long ago. This is similar to the storyline where Yehuda (who was the forebear of Moshiach ben Dovid) did not know that he was in fact talking to Yosef (the forebear of Moshiach ben Yosef) until Yosef later revealed himself. This revelation brings about a reunification of the family.

In the story, it is clear that the Mighty Warrior (מב"י) reveals himself much before the Master of Prayer (מב"ד) actually goes and gathers all the other characters of the story, leading to the final rectification. Moshiach ben Yosef is the first to appear on the scene, similar to how Yosef himself comes down a number of years before Yehuda.

I think that the most potent message of the story is that Rebbe Nachman teaches that the most desperate place a person can be is in the Land of Wealth. This place is a land that worships wealth and literally calls the wealthiest people there gods. The story states that there is almost no way for someone trapped in the desire for wealth to escape. Many words can be said, but they will fall on deaf ears, as happens when the Master of Prayer tries to convince them of their error. Eerily, the story states that the only way to release people from their mistake in regards to worshiping wealth is via the path of war.

I highly recommend getting a copy of Breslov Research Institute's "Rabbi Nachman's Stories" translated and annotated by Rabbi Aryeh Kaplan.

Do not fear at all

Many things in life can make us fearful. Whether it is the fate of our livelihood, the fate of our children, the fate of our people in Israel, or the fate of the world. When our faith is placed solely in Hashem, we need not fear.

Rebbe Nachman says "כל העולם כולו גשר צר מאד והעיקר לא לפחד כלל" - the whole world is a narrow bridge, and the main thing is not to fear at all. When we know Hashem is taking care of us and protecting us we can truly place our trust completely in Him and face our challenges with confidence.

Click here to hear my rendition of the classic song, composed by Rabbi Baruch Chait.

Rejoice!

Are you looking for a little pick me up? Rebbe Nachman says that it is a great mitzvah to always be joyous. Here's a little song that might help.

It's part of a new podcast series I am working on, which you should be able to find on itunes already (in the section on Judaism) and I hope to have up on my website soon bezras Hashem.

Lesson from the ants

Today I went with my family to a little park we call the "Shady Park," which is a five minute drive from our home. We spent some nice time together, and then I went off for a few minutes of alone time. As I was walking along, I came across a group of ants, busily working on bringing in goods to their abode.

I was struck by two ants who struggled valiantly to move a large seed that was clearly more than they could handle. Even as help came in and a third ant came to help, they were still unsuccessful. They would not be deterred. For all I know, they are still struggling to bring the seed home.

Rebbe Nachman teaches that we must never give up hope. We have to know that even when all seems hopeless, and there is no way we can accomplish our spiritual task, nevertheless Hashem is our loving Father who looks at our effort. We need never be discouraged, even when we seem to fail, for Hashem loves the fact that we are trying.

The ants seem to intuitively know that somehow they can succeed, despite the impossible odds. We too can succeed, and our success can be just the fact that we put in our full efforts.